FA Thailand suspends Park Hang-seo two matches for confronting Pattaya United fans it found had racially abused him and his player
FA Thailand's disciplinary committee found that Pattaya United supporters racially abused Kanchanaburi Power coach Park Hang-seo and forward John Baggio on November 1, and suspended Park for two matches for beckoning the fans to come down and face him.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Park, who coached Vietnam's national team from 2017 to 2023, became Kanchanaburi Power's head coach in 2026. The FA Thailand ruling says he was already serving a suspension during the November 1 match and should have taken particular care to stay out of the match areas; it does not say what that suspension was for. On November 2, Pattaya United issued a statement condemning racism and discrimination and saying it was working with the match organizers and stadium officials to establish the facts, and FA Thailand said its president, Nualphan Lamsam, had ordered staff to collect information and open the disciplinary process. Baggio, who is from Madagascar, wrote on Instagram that he was proud of his skin color. The committee warned Pattaya United that a repeat could bring heavier penalties and bans on offenders entering venues. After the ruling, Kanchanaburi Power president Prawat Kitthammakunnit said the penalties over the supporters' racism were too light. As of November 12, we had not found a public response from Park himself to his suspension.
People in this case
Park Hang-seoDirectly involved
Timeline
6 timeline entries on this page. Dates: November 1, 2026 to November 12, 2026
November 2026
Park Hang-seo confronts Pattaya United supporters after a 2-2 draw
Incident
Kanchanaburi Power FC draws 2-2 at Pattaya United in Thai League 2 at Nong Prue Stadium. After the final whistle, Park, who is serving a suspension for the match, argues with Pattaya United supporters near the walkway to the dressing rooms and challenges them to come down and face him until officials intervene.
[01]Coach Park Hang-seo clashes with fans in Thailand after being called 'Kimchi man'
English-language VnExpress International report of November 3, 2026, describing the end of the November 1 match and the confrontation near Stand A, citing Kanchanaburi officials and a Facebook post by club president Prawat Kitthammakunnit.
[02]Football Association of Thailand
Thai-language summary, posted by FA Thailand on November 11, 2026, of the November 10 meeting of its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. Item 1 describes two incidents at the November 1 Thai League 2 match between Pattaya United and Kanchanaburi Power FC, the committee's findings on Pattaya United supporters and on Park Hang-seo, the penalties and the rules applied.
Results of the FA Thailand Disciplinary and Ethics Committee's 12th meeting of the 2026/27 season (in Thai) · Football Association of ThailandItem 1: Pattaya United vs. Kanchanaburi Power FC, November 1, 2026Kanchanaburi Power and John Baggio say Baggio was racially abused
Reaction
Kanchanaburi Power FC issues a statement against racism, and club president Prawat Kitthammakunnit writes on Facebook that the words monkey and kimchi were used. Forward John Baggio writes on Instagram that a foreign man called him a monkey and that he is proud of his skin color.
[03]Kanchanaburi Power FC issues an anti-racism statement after the Pattaya United match (Siam Sport article in Thai)
Thai-language Siam Sport report of November 2, 2026, on the post-match confrontation, Kanchanaburi Power FC's statement against racism and club president Prawat Kitthammakunnit's Facebook post saying the words monkey and kimchi were used.
[04]John Baggio responds on Instagram after abuse at the Pattaya United match (Siam Sport article in Thai)
Thai-language Siam Sport report of November 2, 2026, summarizing an Instagram post by Kanchanaburi Power forward John Baggio about the abuse he says he received after the match.
Pattaya United and FA Thailand respond to the allegations
Reaction
Pattaya United issues a statement condemning racism and discrimination and says it is working with the match organizers and stadium officials to establish the facts. FA Thailand says racist behavior has no place in football and that its president, Nualphan Lamsam, has ordered staff to collect information and open the disciplinary process.
[05]Pattaya United issues a statement against racism and says it is examining the facts (Ballthai article in Thai)
Thai-language Ballthai report of November 2, 2026, reproducing the statement Pattaya United published that day about allegations that its supporters used racist language toward Kanchanaburi Power FC's John Baggio and Park Hang-seo.
Pattaya United issues a statement against racism and says it is examining the facts (Ballthai article in Thai)Text of the Pattaya United statement[06]FA Thailand condemns racist abuse and starts a disciplinary review of the Pattaya United match (Siam Sport article in Thai)
Thai-language Siam Sport report of November 2, 2026, carrying FA Thailand's statement against racist behaviour in football and saying FA Thailand president Nualphan Lamsam ordered the competition department to collect information and open the disciplinary process. It lists the penalties the association's rules allow.
Park's agency says he acted to protect his player
Reaction
Park's management agency, DJ Management, says Park and Baggio have submitted written explanations to FA Thailand, and that Park protested to stop continuing insults and racist abuse of Baggio as part of a coach's responsibility to protect his players.
[07]Park Hang-seo's agency says the abuse of his player John Baggio prompted his protest (Star News article in Korean)
Korean-language Star News report of November 6, 2026, quoting at length the statement Park Hang-seo's management agency, DJ Management, issued that day. The agency says the statement is based on the written explanations Park and player John Baggio submitted to FA Thailand.
Park Hang-seo's agency says the abuse of his player John Baggio prompted his protest (Star News article in Korean)Statement by DJ Management, Park's management agency, quoted at length[08]SBS News
Korean-language SBS News report of November 6, 2026, describing the post-match confrontation and quoting the statement from DJ Management, Park Hang-seo's management agency.
FA Thailand fines over the supporters' racist abuse and suspends Park for two matches
FA Thailand publishes the November 10 decisions of its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee: two fines of 20,000 baht over the Pattaya United supporters' conduct, a warning that a repeat could bring heavier penalties and bans on offenders entering venues, and a two-match suspension and 13,333 baht fine for Park.
[02]Football Association of Thailand
Thai-language summary, posted by FA Thailand on November 11, 2026, of the November 10 meeting of its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. Item 1 describes two incidents at the November 1 Thai League 2 match between Pattaya United and Kanchanaburi Power FC, the committee's findings on Pattaya United supporters and on Park Hang-seo, the penalties and the rules applied.
Results of the FA Thailand Disciplinary and Ethics Committee's 12th meeting of the 2026/27 season (in Thai) · Football Association of ThailandItem 1: Pattaya United vs. Kanchanaburi Power FC, November 1, 2026[09]SBS News
English-language SBS News report of November 12, 2026, on FA Thailand's disciplinary decision. It translates parts of the committee's findings and repeats the November 6 statement from Park's management agency.
Coach Park Hang-seo Banned for 2 Matches, Fined for Responding to Racist Fans · SBS NewsFull articleKanchanaburi Power's president calls the penalties over the supporters too light
Reaction
In a post quoted by Ballthai, Prawat Kitthammakunnit disagrees with the committee's penalties over the Pattaya United supporters' racism. He says FA Thailand will ban offenders only if it happens again, that this damages its image and that it shows racism is not being taken seriously.
[10]Kanchanaburi Power president says the penalties over Pattaya United supporters' racism are too light (Ballthai article in Thai)
Thai-language Ballthai report of November 12, 2026, quoting a post by Kanchanaburi Power FC president Prawat Kitthammakunnit that disagrees with the disciplinary committee's penalties over the Pattaya United supporters' conduct.
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Football Association of Thailand
Park Hang-seo's conduct after the November 1 match, beckoning Pattaya United supporters to come down and face him and gesturing back at them while he was suspended for the game, was improper conduct in public that could lead to disorder at the venue.
What is disputed
FA Thailand's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee made this finding on November 10 and suspended Park for two matches, while saying that acting to protect players is permissible if it stays within the bounds of appropriateness and maturity. Park's management agency said on November 6 that he protested to stop continuing insults and racist abuse of his player John Baggio, as part of a coach's responsibility to protect his players.
Sources (2)
- Results of the FA Thailand Disciplinary and Ethics Committee's 12th meeting of the 2026/27 season (in Thai) · Football Association of ThailandItem 1: Pattaya United vs. Kanchanaburi Power FC, November 1, 2026
- Coach Park Hang-seo Banned for 2 Matches, Fined for Responding to Racist Fans · SBS NewsFull article
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
2 responses. Newest first.
Football Association of ThailandThailand's national football governing body; ruling of its Disciplinary and Ethics CommitteeDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The committee heard from the match commissioner, Pattaya United supporters, Park and forward John Baggio and reviewed video and the two clubs' written explanations. It found that Pattaya United supporters it described as foreign nationals shouted racist abuse at Park after the match, rejecting their denial, and imposed two fines of 20,000 baht over the supporters' conduct. It then turned to Park, finding that he used his hand to beckon the Pattaya United supporters to come down and face him.
"Acting to protect players is permissible, but the expression must stay within the bounds of appropriateness and maturity and must not cause further conflict ... but instead he left the players' dressing room for the walkway and gestured back at the opposing supporters, which was improper conduct in public that could lead to disorder at the venue (Translated from Thai. Original: การกระทำเพื่อปกป้องนักกีฬานั้นสามารถกระทำได้ แต่การแสดงออกต้องอยู่ภายใต้ขอบเขตของความเหมาะสม มีวุฒิภาวะ และไม่ก่อให้เกิดความขัดแย้งเพิ่มเติม ... แต่กลับปรากฏพฤติการณ์ออกจากห้องพักนักกีฬาไปยังบริเวณทางเดิน และแสดงท่าทางโต้ตอบกับกองเชียร์ฝ่ายตรงข้าม อันเป็นการแสดงกิริยาที่ไม่เหมาะสมต่อหน้าสาธารณชนอันอาจนำไปสู่ความไม่สงบเรียบร้อยในสถานที่จัดการแข่งขัน)"
CondemnedResponding to: Park Hang-seo's conduct after the November 1 match, beckoning Pattaya United supporters to come down and face him and gesturing back at them while he was suspended for the game, was improper conduct in public that could lead to disorder at the venue.
Full statement and sources
In its ruling, FA Thailand's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee says acting to protect players is permissible but must stay within the bounds of appropriateness and maturity without causing further conflict. It says Park, who was suspended for the match, should have been especially careful, and finds that his leaving the dressing room to gesture back at the opposing supporters was improper public conduct.
After the statement
The committee suspends Park for two matches and fines him 13,333 baht, two-thirds of a 20,000 baht fine because the match was in Thai League 2.
Results of the FA Thailand Disciplinary and Ethics Committee's 12th meeting of the 2026/27 season (in Thai) · Football Association of ThailandItem 1: Pattaya United vs. Kanchanaburi Power FC, November 1, 2026Coach Park Hang-seo Banned for 2 Matches, Fined for Responding to Racist Fans · SBS NewsFull articleWhy this label?
The reference point is Park Hang-seo's confrontation with Pattaya United supporters after the November 1 match, for which FA Thailand suspended him. The committee accepts that protecting players is permissible in principle, but it finds that the way Park confronted the supporters was improper public conduct and penalizes it. Accepting the aim does not change its conclusion about what he did, so we labeled it Condemned rather than Mixed or conditional.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Park Hang-seoHead coach of Kanchanaburi Power FC; statement issued through his management agency, DJ ManagementDirectly involvedBefore this statement
After Kanchanaburi Power FC's 2-2 draw at Pattaya United on November 1, Park argued with home supporters on his way to the dressing room. The agency says its statement is based on the written explanations Park and forward John Baggio submitted to FA Thailand. It says Baggio reported that some opposing supporters insulted him and mocked his appearance during and after the match, including with the racist word monkey. It adds that Park is well aware of a coach's responsibility to control his emotions.
"However, at the time he witnessed continuing personal insults and racist words and behavior directed at his player, and he protested to the spectators to stop them ... He did not turn away from a situation in which his player was being unjustly insulted, and sought to fulfill his responsibility as a coach who must protect his players (Translated from Korean. Original: 그러나 당시 자신의 선수를 향해 지속적으로 이어지는 인격적인 모욕과 인종차별적 언행을 목격했고, 이를 중단시키기 위해 관중에게 항의했다 ... 자신의 선수가 부당한 모욕을 당하는 상황을 외면하지 않고, 선수를 보호해야 하는 지도자로서의 책임을 다하고자 했다)"
Defended or excusedResponding to: Park Hang-seo's conduct after the November 1 match, beckoning Pattaya United supporters to come down and face him and gesturing back at them while he was suspended for the game, was improper conduct in public that could lead to disorder at the venue.
Full statement and sources
In a November 6 statement issued through his management agency, DJ Management, Park says he saw continuing insults and racist abuse directed at forward John Baggio, protested to the spectators to stop it, and was fulfilling a coach's responsibility to protect his players.
After the statement
The agency says Park was also insulted over his Korean nationality while he protested, that he respects Thai football and its fans, and that it hoped FA Thailand's proceedings on November 10 would establish what happened. It says Park will remain Kanchanaburi Power's coach.
Park Hang-seo's agency says the abuse of his player John Baggio prompted his protest (Star News article in Korean)Statement by DJ Management, Park's management agency, quoted at lengthWhy this label?
The reference point is Park Hang-seo's confrontation with Pattaya United supporters after the November 1 match, for which FA Thailand later suspended him. The statement says he protested to stop abuse he witnessed and presents that as part of a coach's duty to protect his players, which argues that the confrontation was justified. The agency also says Park knows a coach must control his emotions, but it does not say his response was wrong, so we labeled it Defended or excused rather than Mixed or conditional.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(10)
Official statement
Results of the FA Thailand Disciplinary and Ethics Committee's 12th meeting of the 2026/27 season (in Thai)
Relevant passage: Item 1: Pattaya United vs. Kanchanaburi Power FC, November 1, 2026
About this source
Thai-language summary, posted by FA Thailand on November 11, 2026, of the November 10 meeting of its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. Item 1 describes two incidents at the November 1 Thai League 2 match between Pattaya United and Kanchanaburi Power FC, the committee's findings on Pattaya United supporters and on Park Hang-seo, the penalties and the rules applied.
- Author
- Football Association of Thailand
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Kanchanaburi Power president says the penalties over Pattaya United supporters' racism are too light (Ballthai article in Thai)
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Thai-language Ballthai report of November 12, 2026, quoting a post by Kanchanaburi Power FC president Prawat Kitthammakunnit that disagrees with the disciplinary committee's penalties over the Pattaya United supporters' conduct.
- Author
- Ballthai
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Pattaya United issues a statement against racism and says it is examining the facts (Ballthai article in Thai)
Relevant passage: Text of the Pattaya United statement
About this source
Thai-language Ballthai report of November 2, 2026, reproducing the statement Pattaya United published that day about allegations that its supporters used racist language toward Kanchanaburi Power FC's John Baggio and Park Hang-seo.
- Author
- Ballthai
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
John Baggio responds on Instagram after abuse at the Pattaya United match (Siam Sport article in Thai)
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Thai-language Siam Sport report of November 2, 2026, summarizing an Instagram post by Kanchanaburi Power forward John Baggio about the abuse he says he received after the match.
- Author
- Siam Sport
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
FA Thailand condemns racist abuse and starts a disciplinary review of the Pattaya United match (Siam Sport article in Thai)
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Thai-language Siam Sport report of November 2, 2026, carrying FA Thailand's statement against racist behaviour in football and saying FA Thailand president Nualphan Lamsam ordered the competition department to collect information and open the disciplinary process. It lists the penalties the association's rules allow.
- Author
- Siam Sport
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Kanchanaburi Power FC issues an anti-racism statement after the Pattaya United match (Siam Sport article in Thai)
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Thai-language Siam Sport report of November 2, 2026, on the post-match confrontation, Kanchanaburi Power FC's statement against racism and club president Prawat Kitthammakunnit's Facebook post saying the words monkey and kimchi were used.
- Author
- Siam Sport
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Coach Park Hang-seo clashes with fans in Thailand after being called 'Kimchi man'
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
English-language VnExpress International report of November 3, 2026, describing the end of the November 1 match and the confrontation near Stand A, citing Kanchanaburi officials and a Facebook post by club president Prawat Kitthammakunnit.
- Author
- Trung Thu, VnExpress International
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Coach Park Hang-seo Banned for 2 Matches, Fined for Responding to Racist Fans
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
English-language SBS News report of November 12, 2026, on FA Thailand's disciplinary decision. It translates parts of the committee's findings and repeats the November 6 statement from Park's management agency.
- Author
- Hong Seok-jun
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Park Hang-seo says his players faced continuous abuse and insults (SBS News article in Korean)
Relevant passage: Full article
About this source
Korean-language SBS News report of November 6, 2026, describing the post-match confrontation and quoting the statement from DJ Management, Park Hang-seo's management agency.
- Author
- Hong Seok-jun
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Park Hang-seo's agency says the abuse of his player John Baggio prompted his protest (Star News article in Korean)
Relevant passage: Statement by DJ Management, Park's management agency, quoted at length
About this source
Korean-language Star News report of November 6, 2026, quoting at length the statement Park Hang-seo's management agency, DJ Management, issued that day. The agency says the statement is based on the written explanations Park and player John Baggio submitted to FA Thailand.
- Author
- Lee Won-hee
- Published
- Accessed
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- Title
- FA Thailand suspends Park Hang-seo two matches for confronting Pattaya United fans it found had racially abused him and his player
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
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The Dispute Index. "FA Thailand suspends Park Hang-seo two matches for confronting Pattaya United fans it found had racially abused him and his player". First published: 2026-11-12. Last updated: 2026-11-12. https://disputeindex.com/cases/fa-thailand-suspends-park-hang-seo-over-confrontation-with-pattaya-united-fans